SEA HAGG TREASURES

"Sea Hagg Treasures"  Original Oil Painting  Unframed  6" X 6"
For purchase information, please contact me at:  bryantstudio@gmail.com

The Sea Hagg is a quaint little shop located in Cortez, Florida.  Mike and I stumbled upon it by accident one day just driving around and photographing.  I had heard of this place before, a mixture of antiques, art, whimsy and touristy souvenirs...lots of eye candy for us artist types.  Many of their items are authentic salvage pieces from ships and divers, but some are reproductions.

The fish floats were only one little grouping that caught my eye, and I expect to create a few more paintings with some of the other reference photos I took.  These were out on the porch, but inside was a real treasure.

I was so tempted when I saw a lovely carved wooden mermaid, nearly life size with just the right amount of "weathering."  She just had to be fake!  But.........who knows?  It was a fantastic piece and would have been such fun to own, although  I can't imagine where I would have put her.

TREAT?

"Treat?"  Original oil painting  Unframed  6" X 6"

For purchase information, please contact me at:  bryantstudio@gmail.com

One of my neighbors has two of these adorable terriers.  She walks in the yard with them a lot and I get to oooh and ahhh over them frequently.  They play well together and are quick as lightening.

I love having a pair of pets, particularly siblings.  They each have unique personalities, somewhat like children, and they play and fight like children too.  It's no wonder to me that so many people are so attached to their sweet little pets.  One look says it all!

CHASING LUNCH

"Chasing Lunch"  Original oil painting  Unframed  6" X 6"
For purchase information, please contact me at:  bryantstudio@gmail.com

Chickens are like "happy pills" for me!  They have great angles and awkward positions, at times almost regal, and they really look funny when they run!  As often as I paint them, I never tire of them as painting subjects.  Of course, my "first love" is portraits.  Do you have a favorite subject?

BLUE SKY ABOVE

"Blue Sky Above"  Original oil painting  Unframed  6" X 6"
SOLD!

The skies are so clear and blue in Arizona.  The blues really play up the oranges in the dirt and cliffs.  They also played very well with the complements in this little bird and the dead branch he perched upon.

The reference photo is one Mike took below the rim of the Grand Canyon, at Cedar Point.  We had the best day to hike down and, although we didn't go far, about a mile and a half, the trek was worth every breath.  For someone who comes from an elevation of about 32 feet above sea level, that was no easy trail, especially the uphill climb to the rim (about 7,800 feet)!  Who cares?!  It was breathtaking all around and I can't wait to do it again!  :)

LITTLE NIBBLER

"Little Nibbler"  Original oil painting  Unframed  6" X 6"
For information on purchase, please visit my daily painting website HERE

This little guy was one of several little ground squirrels, coming out in the early morning desert at the base of Delicate Arch in Arches National Park last Spring.  Here he has found one of my raw pumpkin seeds from a trail mix I prepared before leaving Florida for our 5 week jaunt through parts of the Southwestern USA.

My foot was barely out of the shot of this little creature and I took dozens of shots of him with my cell phone as he sat there and ate my offerings.  I would not have put anything out for him that was salted or harmful, but since I prepared the mix myself, I knew exactly what was in it and raw and organic was safe.  We enjoyed all the goodies (trail mix, kale chips, power bars, orange slices YUMMY!) that I dehydrated and prepared for our trip and several of the "locals" did too.  *wink*

BE-BOP!

"Be-Bop"  Original oil painting  Unframed  6" X 6"
For purchase information, please contact me at:  bryantstudio@gmail.com

Admit it...some cats have the personality of rocks!  Then, there are others whose personality really ROCKS!  Be-bop was one of those...a charmer, full of personality and yet retaining that cat-like aloofness that we all know so well. Considering I am a dog person, I really enjoyed the antics of this cat.  Here, he is patiently, or maybe not so patiently, waiting at the studio door for me to let him out to play, swishing his tail to get my attention.  I couldn't help but love this cat and his siter, Popcorn!

AMERICAN MOTHER'S PRIDE

"American Mother's Pride"
SOLD!

This is a larger piece I had been working on this week.  I completed him on Thursday night and he now hangs in the office of Florida Congressman Thomas J. Rooney.  They have given him a position of honor, in the foyer, next to the American Flag.  He is the beloved son of a high school friend, and both of them graciously allowed me to paint him for this exhibit.  I am both honored and grateful, and I thoroughly enjoyed painting Cody.

I will be working on a few larger paintings in the coming week and getting ready for the Florida Strawberry Festival Fine Art Show, of which Mike and I are co-chairs.  I may not be posting daily, but please check back and see how things are going.  I love doing the small dailies, even when I am occupied with larger works.  I will squeeze them in where I can.

BLUE HYDRANGEAS

"Blue Hydrangeas"  Original oil painting  Unframed  6" X 6"
SOLD!

This week's Daily Paintworks challenge, by Jo Mackenzie, instructs us to emulate the style of a DPW artist, whose style we admire.  I immediately thought of Nancy Medina, whose floral paintings are simply stunning!  She is a prolific daily painter whose signature style is florals executed with flair and grace.

I took down my sponge ware pitcher and went to work on this little painting.  I really like the way it progressed and I learned that I really need a synthetic bright to get the brushstrokes she achieves, although I expect even with her "magic" brush, I would have difficulty on a 6" X 6" panel.  All in all, I am very happy with this painting and I may take on the "style" of another DPW artist or two for this challenge.

LET ME TELL YOU.....

"Let Me Tell You....."  Original oil painting  Unframed  6" X 6"
SOLD!

This is another photo shot at the Grand Canyon stable.  I enjoyed the comical, gossipy pose and the way the ears are cocked way back, as if shying away from a torrid, yet captivating secret.  The early morning light was wonderful and we made the most of it each day.  The time zone difference didn't hurt either.

I am working on a larger painting this week, so look for it on the weekend.  I am very excited about working on this piece.

GANDER

"Gander"  Original oil painting  Unframed  6" X 6"
For purchase information, please contact me at:  bryantstudio@gmail.com

There are lots of geese, ducks and waterfowl of all types that mill around the lake in town.  They will crowd around your feet, expecting a handout, since so many people utilize the walking paths and golf course near that area.  We've taken more than a few photos of them and it's always fun to interpret the shot and reconcile it with what you knew it could be if they would only hold still and allow you to paint them right then and there.

ROSE IN A SHOT GLASS

"Rose in a Shot Glass"  Original oil painting  Unframed  6" X 6"
For purchase information, please contact me at:  bryantstudio@gmail.com

Mike brought me this little Don Juan rose early in the week and it has been sitting on my desk in a shot glass.  I have watched it deteriorate until it languished over the side of the glass and gently kissed it.  I am not fond of painting flowers, but I sooooo admire those who do it well.  I couldn't resist this little droopy bloom, especially since I butchered its mother plant this week while doing some yard clean up.  I am a notorious "slash to grow" pruner, so I now have to wait until spring for new blossoms.

Aren't you proud of me??  The January challenge is over and I am still keeping the blogging habit as much as I can!  I do have larger works to paint in the near future, so be prepared for me to skip now and then but I will do all I can to continue more often than before.

EVENTIDE AND CONVERSATIONS

"Eventide and Conversations"  Original oil painting  Unframed  6" X 6"
For purchase information, please visit my daily painting website HERE

After creating 30 paintings in 30 days, I felt the need to paint something serene.  The beach is always a big draw for me, since just the sound of the ebb and flow brings peace to the soul.  I have to say, I feel really sorry for anyone who has never taken a moonlight stroll along the shore, or had an escapade at dawn!  I think my body reconnects with my soul at those times and my whole being recharges.  I need a beach trek soon!  lol

In a different vein, my "Bummed Out" was just accepted today into Greenhouse Gallery's 2013 Salon International.  This will be my third acceptance and I am so honored to be included in this prestigious exhibit again....super cool!

BY THE FRUITS OF THEIR LABORS...

"By the Fruits of Their Labors..."  SOLD!

Now that the "30 Paintings in 30 Days" challenge is behind me, I am full throttle into preparations for the Florida Strawberry Festival Fine Art Show.  I am the chairperson for this event, which spans 11 days of major crowds, top star (mostly country) music line-ups, food, and fun galore, and of course, STRAWBERRIES in nearly every form!  It just doesn't get any better than that!

I took myself out of the running when I chose to chair this competition, and I can tell you I really miss entering, usually painting something especially for this show.  This is my Best in Show entry from 2008, although it shows a little too red on my monitor.  The model is one of our parishoners and all the background elements are from photos I took in the fields as the pickers were working to supply this very festival.  It's such a huge deal in Plant City and everyone here is "strawberry proud".  I have grown quite fond of the fruits and this annual event myself!

30-30 COLLAGE

My complete "30 Paintings in 30 Days" from Leslie Saeta's challenge.  Please see my previous post for comments and available paintings.  Thanks!

30 PAINTINGS IN 30 DAYS CHALLENGE

Well, one month is down and as promised, here are the final images for all of my paintings in the "30 Paintings in 30 Days" challenge, conceived by Leslie Saeta for her artist friends and followers.

It has been a delightful month and I was ahead by as many as 7 paintings at one time because I knew I had a deadline on another painting that MUST get done.  I was able to accomplish that and complete another for that competition then kicked right back into low gear for a few days, then finished with a bang, painting 5 pieces last Sunday for the finale!

If you are interested in any of the remaining paintings pictured here, please go to my Daily Paintworks Gallery and check them out for a larger image, and you may bid there.  Check out the rest of the gallery while you are there in case you missed something.  Any which have bids will be bid out and those remaining unbid after Feb. 6th, will revert to my normal starting bid price.

Thanks again for taking the time to view, comment and "like" in support of this fun adventure.  I appreciate each and every one of you.  :)

HELLO

"HELLO"  Original oil painting  Unframed  6" X 6"
SOLD!

It is always interesting to me to watch animals meet for the first time.  There is usually some tension involved, often frisky playfulness, sometimes watchful caution.  These two met at the Winthrop Arts Festival last year and Mike (who had the better camera) practically got shoved to the pavement (admittedly, by me) to snap a few quick shots for me.  I was thrilled when he got just the shot I wanted, so I let him back up off the ground!  Isn't the digital age fantastic?!

This is the last of my 30 Paintings in 30 Days.  Big, BIG thank you hugs to Leslie Saeta for inspiring so many artists to take up the gauntlet and persevere.  I joined in with the intention of getting back to blogging, since I paint nearly daily anyway.  This has helped me to streamline my procedure from photographing to uploading to Daily Paintworks and then blogging about it.  I hope to keep a more consistent blog in the future, at least once a week, but possibly more.

I also recorded demonstrations for some of these 30 paintings on my Ustream channel, so the fun doesn't have to end for those who are following along on this challenge.  Those are marked with a little white arrow on my DPW Gallery.  There are other videos there as well, from before this challenge.

Since it is not often that people return to a blog post after they have commented on it, I would also like to thank all of YOU who have left comments here and on facebook and all the "Likes".  Thanks also to all of YOU who have purchased paintings from this adventure.  The balance will remain at Daily Paintworks, to be auctioned at this reduced price for ONE WEEK ONLY, ending on Feb. 6th.  I will be posting all 30 paintings tomorrow, with SOLD! pieces marked.

Well...that was a long-winded blog!  Anyone would think I hadn't been blogging every day for the last month!  :)  I hope to hear from you soon.....

BALCONY VANTAGE

"Balcony Vantage"  Original oil painting  Unframed  6" X 6"

For purchase information, please visit my daily painting website HERE

Whenever I am in a new location, I always try to take lots and lots of photos for elements in paintings.  Some work out as complete paintings "as is" and some are just pieces to be utilized in another composition.  It pays to not just look around you, but to also look UP!  Waiting for the parade to make its way down Bourbon Street, I noticed a lot of activity on the balconies above, and this painting came from one of those "as is" shots.  It was Easter and the white suit and hat just glowed with light!  I think I had just as good a view from the street as he did from his balcony.

MICANOPY STUDIO

"Micanopy Studio"  Original oil painting  Unframed  6" X 6"
SOLD!

Mike and I visited Micanopy to check out a wood furniture artist in whom we were interested for a guest artist at Beaux Arts Gallery.  Unfortunately we were unable to connect with him as the gallery next door and this studio were both closed.  We will have to return because his furniture is extraordinary!  We took several photos, of course, and I plan to paint the gallery as well, but I really enjoyed all the blues and the shadow pattern cast onto the front wall by the Spanish moss.

I just want to remind everyone that the pricing for my "30 Paintings in 30 Days" challenge will remain at $30 starting bid for only one week following the close of this challenge.  On February 8th, I will be putting them back up to my regular auction starting price of $85.  After those auctions have ended, my gallery pricing will go into effect.  So if you are interested, now is the time to purchase.  I will post a collage of the unsold works from this series on February 2nd, with the sold pieces marked and you will have one week to bid at the reduced price.  30 in 30 for $30 has been a blast!

PRUNING DAY

"Pruning Day"  Original oil painting  Unframed  6" X 6"
SOLD!

The Ringling Museum of Art is a delightful place to visit, just an hour or so away in Sarasota.  Occasionally Mike and I go down to enjoy the art and take photos on the beautifully landscaped grounds.  There is a pretty large rose garden, started by Mabel Ringling, enhanced by lovely stone statuary.  On this visit, one of the volunteers was pruning among the blooms, with heavy leather glove and yellow compost bucket to drop the clippings.  She had such an interesting face and posture, I had to paint her.

This is also where I attended the John Ebersberger workshop in November.  We had a professional model and painted on site beside the bay.  Lunches were spent relaxing on the patio under the huge banyan trees.  Those trees are another lovely painting in my mind...

COLONIAL TRADER

"Colonial Trader"  Original oil painting  Unframed  6" X 6"
For purchase information, please contact me at:  bryantstudio@gmail.com

The annual Dade Battlefield re-enactment is an event we love to attend.  It is held in Bushnell, Florida and is the site of one of the battles from the Seminole Indian wars.  The story unfolds with the telling of the lone "survivor" as the spirit of the battlefield.  It is always very well presented, with various re-enactors playing different parts as the need arises.  Each battle is unique, as there is a code of honor that when you make eye contact with your target as you shoot, he dies.  So the battle can run a little longer or shorter as all the victims fall one by one.

We love visiting the camps as much as watching the battle.  There is a Seminole camp and a Soldier camp. Both are photo ops not to be missed, especially on a sunny Winter day.  I have created several paintings from my treasure of photos.  The regalia of the warriors and soldiers, and the campsites with their authentic campfires and cooking utensils are all worthy of painting,   one day at a time, one painting at a time...  It's all I can do!

SUN HAT

"Sun Hat"  Original oil painting  Unframed  6" X 6"
For purchase information, please contact me at:  bryantstudio@gmail.com

Some of my favorite subjects have always been children's portraits.  Try as I may, I can't stay away from portraits of any kind for very long, as you may have noticed in this 30 day challenge.

Climbing out of the ruins at Mesa Verde, I spotted this adorable little boy perched upon the shoulders of his father.  I asked Mike to snap a few photos and he obliged.  In talking to his Dad, we discovered he had carried his little son for the entire tour.  What a Dad!  There were some dangerous places along the way and I am sure climbing that wooden ladder at the end, with the boy clinging to his head was a little uncomfortable.  However, I am sure he felt he was better safe than sorry, where the child was concerned.

As with most of my 6" X 6" paintings, this is a study and may turn into a larger painting with Dad included.

CANYON MULE

"Canyon Mule"  Original oil painting  Unframed  6" X 6"
SOLD!

I had never seen a white mule before this Spring when we went on our photo/art expedition.  I remember Daddy taking us to a farm when we were small and lifting me up on the fence next to a mule that I thought must be a giant of its species.  Its head was probably about as big as me.  Maybe that's where I got my fear of horses!

This was one of the mules in the livery at the Grand Canyon.  You know, those trusty, fearless steeds that brave the narrow trails winding up and down the deep, steep......dare I say, treacherous? canyon. I got this photo in the very early morning light.  It cast long shadows from the ear and eye socket, making an interesting pattern down the front of his face.

Mike wants to take that mule ride someday, but I am not so sure......  Hmmmmmm......will have to think hard about that one.  I think I will need riding lessons!

WALKIN' THE WALK

"Walkin' the Walk"  Original oil painting  Unframed  6" X 6"
SOLD!

Again, I can say, painting chickens makes me happy.  I love the contours, the softness of feathers, the solidity of form and the colors.  This is the first time I have painted a white chicken and I am very happy with the result.  I have been working this year at plein-aire work and particularly with the effect of light on the subject.  I think this painting advances that vibrant light effect that I am working toward.  "Sparkle" is what comes to mind when I evaluate this one.  It is exactly what I envisioned when I began this piece.  Expect more chicken paintings in the future, because I truly love them as subjects!

LITTLE CREEPER

"Little Creeper"  Original oil painting  Unframed  6" X 6"
NFS  For print information, please contact me at:  bryantstudio@gmail.com

I always wanted to paint this photo I took of Maya in the creeping stage.  I knew it would make a jewel of a painting, and it will freak her out when I show it to her!  Hahahahahaaaaaaaaa  As if the fun of painting isn't enough, right?  This is also about the age I sculpted her, and do I have blackmail photos!

I used this photo once before.  Maya was in 3rd grade and had to create a biography.  After she wrote it, we browsed through photos to find some interesting images that would support the story she told.  We used this one on the last page, perfect for.......THE END!

APRIL HARMONY

"April Harmony"  Original oil painting  Unframed  6" X 6"
SOLD!

Again.....a floral.  Well, what can I say?  I have wanted to paint this tree's lovely blossoms since I took the photo in San Antonio last Spring.  This is from a blooming tree just inside the wall at the Alamo.  There were many opportunities for painting subjects on their lovely grounds and I was so tempted to pluck one of the ripe papayas which were fairly abundant at that time of year.  I am settling now, by eating some papaya slices between typing and posting, my evening snack with chai tea!

FLOWER CHILD

"Flower Child"  Original oil painting  Unframed  6" X 6"
For purchase information, please contact me at:  bryantstudio@gmail.com

I have painted Maya a dozen times or more, with hopes of painting her still more.  She is my "favorite model", possibly because she has been accessible to me for most of her life, but also because she is my beautiful granddaughter.  My first art piece from Maya's sittings was when she was only 8 months old.  I created a life size nude sculpture of her sitting with arm lifted.  It was great fun and I learned so much that helped me with my portrait work and the three dimensional form.  If you paint portraits, you MUST try sculpting a head or figure.

I first painted Maya at the age of two in colored pencil for a juried show and won a Best in Show for that painting.  I gifted that one to her mother for Mother's Day that year and had to borrow it back for the show.

I have taken literally hundreds of photos of Maya while she was very young and am so blessed to have her as a model as she matures.  The little flower girl, who had free reign in my flower beds is growing into a lovely young woman and I am getting even more painting ideas for my "favorite model".

ANTIQUE WHITE

"Antique White"  Original oil painting  Unframed  6" X 6"
SOLD!

Vintage and antique items have always held an appeal for me.  I love the history, the story of the pieces.  For many years I have scoured flea markets, yard sales and consignment shops, mostly browsing and wondering about the stories of each treasure that catches my eye.  If you are anything like me, you can spend hours just meandering among these cast off items..  Anyone who knows me, knows I don't decorate my house, I only store future still life "wannabe's".  Isn't that often the case with artists?  We were born to collect!

This week I had the good fortune to reconnect with a fellow artist who owns a vintage shop.  In our conversation, of course, we talked about art......no surprise!  In the end, she offered me the availability of the many items in her store from which I may "borrow" to paint and then return.  What a blessing that will be!  I won't discontinue my wanderings at yard sales, but I will feel much relieved that I will have ready access to any number of still life props.  This has been an exciting week!

LUNCH AT THE RIVERWALK

"Lunch at the Riverwalk"  Original oil painting  6" X 6"
For purchase information, please contact me at:  bryantstudio@gmail.com

I have loved this reference since I took the photo last year on our trip to San Antonio.  We enjoyed the Riverwalk so much, we walked it and we, of course, rode the boats around to get the "tourist tour" and learn some of this town's charming history.

I expect to make this trip again sometime soon, and I will be taking more photos.  You get some of the best painting references in every day people doing every day things!

APALACHICOLA DAWN

"Apalachicola Dawn"  Original Oil Painting  6" X 6"
SOLD!

This is the dawn which greeted us in September when I attended the plein-aire workshop, hosted by the Apalachicola Center for History, Culture and Art, and presented by members of PAP-SE.  We had 6 phenomenal instructors for the three day period and this photo was taken on day one, as we had our breakfast at the Oyster docks.

I can't imagine finding any workshop anywhere to rival this one, and, although I waffled about attending for a month, I am so glad I went!  Bonus:  I met a facebook friend, Laura Pace.  Please take a moment to visit her blog and leave a comment.  I purchased her painting which you can view there, "Old Tin Warehouse", as a memento of our time together.

The first day's instructors set the groundwork for the entire workshop and I have to say Dawn Whitelaw and Anne Blair Brown created a wonderful, balanced presentation and demo.  On day two, we were treated to demo's and instruction by Kevin Menck and Perry Austin.  If I hadn't seen Kevin paint that 9" X 12" demo with that tiny #1 round brush in less than 2 hrs, I would not have believed it!  Day three we moved to St. George Island and painted at the lighthouse, with instructors James Richards and Lori Putnam.

Any one of these artist/instructors would have been worth the trip, but having all six in one workshop was a rare and delightful learning experience!

TREADING SOFTLY

"Treading Softly" Original oil painting, 6" x 6"
SOLD!

You may not know it, but I am an early riser...usually between 4AM - 5AM is my wake up time. When I wake up, I get up and get out to the studio for some work. It's in the quiet time that I seem to work my best. And the BEST mornings are when I have already chosen four or five concepts, and I get to just jump into paint with both feet....well, not literally. I do use a brush in hand!

I've painted lots of roosters and hens in the last few years, and I never tire of them. I love their structure, with all their plumpness showing in the angles and their wispy fluorescent feathers. They always brighten my morning! So, while they come into the day treading softly, I try to hit each day with a BANG!

BERRY GLOW

"Berry Glow" Original oil painting, Unframed 6" X 6"
SOLD!

Strawberry season is HERE! I can't help but get excited about living in the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World, and I don't mind telling you, I put away my fair share of these succulent jewels of sweetness.

Another reason I am excited about this time of year...I am the chairperson for the Florida Strawberry Festival Fine Art Show, and for 11+ days, I run myself ragged and love every moment of it! My committee and I are grinding away at the work side of putting together this show, open to Florida residents and Winter visitors, but I love the eleven day event, when I get to meet so many artists and art lovers during the duration of the exhibit.  This year it's a win/win situation for the artists who are painting to the coveted Strawberry Theme Award, because this year's theme is "Our Masterpiece of Fun!"  How can you get any more inspirational than that?

I am sure I will be posting about that in the future. Meanwhile, I am enjoying berries...painting and eating! Wish you were here to join me!